Title : A rare case of slow flow mimicking acute coronary syndrome
Abstract:
Introduction: The coronary slow flow phenomenon is an important, angiographic entity characterized by delayed progression of the injected contrast medium through the coronary tree. The clinical implications are significant, with over 80% of patients experiencing recurrent chest pain, resulting in considerable impairment in quality of life.
Methodology: A rare case of slow flow mimicking acute coronary syndrome was assessed at our center to understand the clinical presentation and further aspects of the phenomenon.
Results: A 43-year aged man presented to OPD with complaints of chest pain for 3 months associated with shortness of breath, sweating and palpitations occasionally. Symptoms aggravated since a week of presentation to our centre. He was teetotaler and no comorbidities associated. On examination, BP - 120/80 mmhg, PR – 68/min, RR- 18/min, SPO2 – 98% RA and temperature – 97F. Systemic examination was normal. ECG was showing normal (sinus rhythm). He was advised TMT further; the stress test was positive for inducible ischemia. He was advised coronary angiogram considering symptoms and the stress test was positive for inducible ischemia. Later the troponin I was done which showed marginally positive (0.3ng/ml) against reference <0.2ng/ml was normal. Coronary angiogram showed slow flow of coronary arteries.
Conclusion: The presentation of slow flow may be varied from chest pain, palpitations associated with sweating and other constitutional symptoms. It’s necessary to investigate and diagnose promptly to rule the differential diagnosis such as acute coronary syndrome. Prompt and early diagnosis could be beneficial for improving quality of life of an individual and occasionally mimic with acute coronary syndromes.
Audience Take Away Notes:
- Audience will know about the clinical profile of slow flow.
- Audience will know the differential diagnosis of slow flow which could even be acute coronary syndrome.
- Slow flow is a less studied and yet a common phenomenon in field of cardiology.
